The pressure on tax haven countries to engage in tax information exchange shows first effects on capital markets. Empirical research suggests that investors do react to information exchange and partially withdraw from previous secrecy jurisdictions that open up to information exchange. While...

This paper discusses key findings of the Detailed Assessment of Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision on Austria. Since the outbreak of the financial crisis, some Austrian credit institutions had to be nationalized as an ad hoc measure to prevent contagion effects and to...

The Maldives has taken steps to lay down the foundations of an antimoney laundering and counterterrorist financing (AML/CFT) framework. This report summarizes the AML/CFT measures that were in place in the Maldives at the time of the onsite visit (October 17â€“28, 2010) and shortly...

This assessment reviews the regulatory framework in place for the oversight of the capital markets of the Russian Federation as of June 2011. The Russian securities markets, in particular, have been volatile, reflecting the inflow and outflow of money and the crisis. Foreign investment banks...

Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world and, after decades of ongoing conflicts and strife, it is still at an early stage of developing its legal and institutional framework. Measures have been taken to fight crime, including financial crime. Smuggling and fraud are other major...

In this study, antimoney laundering and counterterrorist financing measures (AML/CFT) were summarized. The measures taken to strengthen the financing system are analyzed. Albaniaâ€™s level of compliance with financial action task force (FATF) is assessed. Legal systems and related...

Kuwait faced the global financial crisis from a position of strength, owing to expansionary fiscal stance. The economy is expected to grow steadily over the medium term as Kuwait continues to implement the development plan and global recovery supports demand for oil. The near-term macroeconomic...

The Netherlands has a long-standing legal framework concerning Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism preventive measures, which dates back to 1993. The legal framework for Customer Due Diligence is generally adequate; however, a number of provisions are problematic. The...

Although progress has been made in strengthening the Swiss economy, systemic risks posed by large banks as well as revisions to the macroprudential framework are still in train. The authorities welcomed the too-big-to-fail (TBTF) legislation and intervention of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) on...

The design of the German banking supervision framework is structurally sound, with a robust legislative and operational framework that largely complies with the Basel Core Principles for effective banking supervision (BCP). Various improvements to the German supervisory framework have been...

This paper focuses on targeted detailed assessment of observance of the Basel Core Principles for effective banking supervision. The selection of the principles to be reassessed was made by the mission team based on an analysis of the risks and vulnerabilities of the Russian Federation. It was...

Even though the Russian authorities have maintained financial stability at the time of a major global shock, the financial system is still weak. The crisis has set back progress toward a strong, competitive banking system for the future. The recent unification of the supervision of nonbank...

This technical note discusses the lessons learned from the financial crisis in Russia in 2008. The note summarizes key findings and recommendations, and analyzes the institutional framework and coordination arrangements for systemic risk monitoring and crisis management. It also covers crisis...

This detailed assessment report focuses on antimoney laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) for Armenia. The report reveals that Armeniaâ€™s financial system remains small and bank dominated. Total assets of the banking sector accounted for approximately 91 percent of...

This report on the Observance of Standards and Codes for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) 40 Recommendations for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and 9 Special Recommendations on Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) was prepared by the Legal Department of the IMF. It provides a summary of...

In 2008, Nicaragua introduced legislation criminalizing money laundering (ML) and the financing of terrorism (FT) that is generally adequate, except for some key deficiencies. The Antimony Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) preventive measures for the regulated...

This report provides a summary of the Antimoney Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) measures in effect in the Union of the Comoros on the date of or shortly after the onsite visit. It describes and analyzes these measures, indicates the level of the Union of the...

The level of domestically generated proceeds of serious crime in San Marino is low. However, San Marino is vulnerable to money laundering (ML) of proceeds of crimes committed abroad. The Sammarinese financial sector, until recently, was characterized by a number of features that have created a...

This paper assesses observance of standards and codes on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations for antimoney laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) for Armenia. The assessment reveals that Armenia has made considerable improvements in its AML/CFT framework...

This Selected Issues paper for the Republic of San Marino analyzes options for managing systemic liquidity risk. The paper states that financial dollarization/euroizationâ€”as in the case of San Marinoâ€”or a currency board arrangement can complicate banking crisis management and...

Stress tests indicate that the main vulnerabilities of the banking sector of San Marino relate to deposit outflows or to a deterioration of credit quality, and these risks are particularly high for the largest bank. There is no effective mechanism to provide liquidity to banks. The nonbank...

This Detailed Assessment Report reviews antimoney laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) measures for Germany. The report reveals that Germany has introduced a number of measures in recent years to strengthen its AML/CFT regime. Germany has generated a relatively large...

"A timely guide to the complex financial markets and banking secrecy of Switzerland since 1934, when Switzerland's federal bank secrecy law was passed, the line between myth and reality with regard to Swiss banking has been blurred. But over the past decade, there have been dramatic changes in...

This report focuses on the Observance of Standards and Codes for the Financial Action Task Force 40 (FATF) recommendations for antimoney laundering (AML) and nine special recommendations for combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) in Cape Verde. The assessment reveals that Cape Verde has...

This paper examines the Financial System Stability Assessment on Jersey. Most banks in Jersey are branches or subsidiaries of large international groups, to which they provide financing. This close relationship reduces risk in normal times, given the groupsâ€™ ability to support their...

The paper presents a report on Austriaâ€™s Observance of Standards and Codes for Financial Action Task Force Recommendations for Antimoney Laundering (AML)/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT). The Austrian authorities have designed and are implementing a comprehensive AML/CFT...

This paper presents Mexicoâ€™s detailed assessment report on antimoney laundering and combating the financing of terrorism. Powerful drug cartels, resorting to extreme violence, have extended their activities across various parts of the country, and these activities pose significant...

This report provides a summary of the antimoney laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) measures in place in Cape Verde. It sets out Cape Verdeâ€™s levels of compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) 40 recommendations. The assessment reveals that...

This paper discusses key findings of the detailed assessment of observance of financial sector standards and codes in Switzerland. Switzerland has a relatively unique banking sector, with a high market concentration by the two largest domestic banks. The overall assessment of the peer-review...